Tailpipe customization

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a tailpipe tip assembly for inserting into a tailpipe opening comprising: a sleeve, where the sleeve includes a first opening at a first end and a fitting portion at a second end; a tailpipe tip, where the tailpipe tip includes a perimeter and the perimeter fits into an inner edge of the first opening of the sleeve and the fitting portion inserts into the tailpipe opening; and an etched design within the perimeter, where said design allows for the movement of air there through.

CROSS REFERENCE TO OTHER APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation in part to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/184,797, which in turn claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 61/369,679 filed on Jul. 31, 2010.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a tailpipe tip and a method for manufacturing the tip, where the tailpipe tip inserts into a tailpipe opening to provide a customization feature for a conventional tailpipe.

2. Description of Related Art

Most motor vehicles include at least one exhaust pipe that extends from the rear of the vehicle. Exhaust pipes provide a means to carry and emit toxic or noxious gases from the engine of a vehicle. Exhaust pipes are installed on motor vehicles, trucks, motorcycles and just about any vehicle, which uses an internal combustion engine. Exhaust pipes allow for the gases that are usually very hot to escape from the engine for emission into the environment. Exhaust pipes are usually placed in a position away from other objects or components that are sensitive to heat. The exhaust pipe becomes very hot during use and therefore any object placed near or close may burn if in contact with the pipe. The tail end of the exhaust pipe is visible from most rear ends of vehicles. The exhaust pipe extends from the manifold of the engine and is directed toward the rear of the car and most times passes through a catalytic converter system. Once beyond the catalytic converter system the tailpipe extends to the rear of the vehicle for the final exit point of noxious gases.

Exhaust tail pipes are made in single, dual or even quad designs. Since the end of the tailpipe is visible often this area of the tailpipe may be designed to have a visual pleasing appearance. Many times the tip of the tailpipe is chrome and may include a straight or angle edge. The opening of the tailpipe is usually left completely open to allow the movement of the gases through the tailpipe.

It would be advantageous to have a tailpipe accessory that is able to adorn and decorate the exit opening of a tailpipe. Many times the opening is left open to allow the movement of the gas through the tailpipe. It would be advantageous to have a tip that inserts over the opening that could provide an ornamental, decorative attachment to the tailpipe opening but yet allow movement of gases and airflow so that the tailpipe continues to function.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates a tailpipe tip assembly for inserting into a tailpipe opening comprising: a sleeve, where the sleeve includes a first opening at a first end and a fitting portion at a second end; a tailpipe tip, where the tailpipe tip includes a perimeter and the perimeter fits into an inner edge of the first opening of the sleeve and the fitting portion inserts into the tailpipe opening; and an etched design within the perimeter, where said design allows for the movement of air there through.

Further, the present invention relates to a method of creating a tailpipe tip in accordance with the present invention. The method of creating a tailpipe tip includes the steps of: measuring a sleeve opening; creating a cutout template for the sleeve opening, where the template creates a plurality of tailpipe tip fittings, where each tailpipe tip fitting correlates with the sleeve opening measurements; placing the template over a sheet of metal; etching a plurality of tailpipe tip fittings on the sheet of metal; removing the tailpipe tip fittings from the sheet of metal; and contouring a perimeter of each tailpipe, where the perimeter fits flush into an inner edge of the sleeve opening. The method of creating a tailpipe tip may further include polishing a face of each tailpipe fitting after removal from the sheet of metal. The sheet of metal may be manufactured of stainless steel in order to provide durability and style. Preferably, the method of creating a tailpipe tip may include etching a specific ornamental design within the perimeter of the tailpipe tip.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A depicts exemplary tailpipe tips and sleeves according to the present invention.

FIG. 1B depicts the installation of the tailpipe tips according to the present invention into a tailpipe opening.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a tailpipe tip that is utilized to customize a tailpipe opening. The tailpipe tip is installed to fit within an inner edge of an exhaust opening of a tailpipe. Preferably, the tailpipe tip includes an ornamental design that allows for the flow of exhaust through the ornamental design once attached to the tailpipe. The tailpipe tip according to the present invention adds a stylish, customized design to the tailpipe but yet allows adequate airflow to enable the proper functioning of the tailpipe. The present invention also relates to a method of manufacturing the tailpipe tip according to the present invention.

In reference to FIG. 1A, tailpipe tips 10 a, 10 b according to the present invention are depicted. The tailpipe tips 10 a, 10 b provide a means to customize and adorn a vehicle's tailpipe. The tip according to the present invention is a device that preferably includes an ornamental design etched within the perimeter of the tailpipe tip. The ornamental design is a stenciled-type design that enables the flow of air through the tip. The stencil figure is created of any customized shape, design or figure that is suitable for the user. The tailpipe tip according to the present invention is placed within an inner edge of the tailpipe opening and may be secured into place by welding onto the inner edge. The tailpipe tips 10 a, 10 b are interchangeable and therefore a user may use various tailpipe tips if desired based upon the attachment means incorporated.

The tailpipe tips 10 a, 10 b may be made of stainless steel materials in order to prevent rust or further modified with a chrome finish. The tailpipe tips 10 a, 10 b insert into sleeves 15 a, 15 b. The sleeves 15 a, 15 b provide a mechanism to insert the decorative tips 10 a, 10 b into tailpipes 20 a, 20 b. The sleeves 15 a, 15 b include a fitting portion 17 a, 17 b that inserts into the tailpipe opening, where the tailpipe tips 10 a, 10 b insert into an opening at an end of the sleeve opposite to the fitting portion. This fitting portion provides an attachment means for the sleeves into each respective tailpipe. Once inserted into the tailpipe, the tailpipe extends as shown in FIG. 1B.

The sleeves 15 a, 15 b may be removed as desired and therefore the decorative tips may be interchanged through the use of the sleeve mechanisms provided.

The tailpipe tip according to the present invention may be created by the following sequence of steps: measuring a sleeve opening; creating a cutout template for the sleeve opening, where the template creates a plurality of tailpipe tip fittings, where each tailpipe tip fitting correlates with the sleeve opening measurements; placing the template over a sheet of metal; etching a plurality of tailpipe tip fittings on the sheet of metal; removing the tailpipe tip fittings from the sheet of metal; and contouring a perimeter of each tailpipe, where the perimeter fits flush into an inner edge of the sleeve opening.

Various measurement methods may be incorporated to provide adequate specifications for the perimeter of the tailpipe tip. Further, a user may obtain specifications from a respective manufacturer of the object tailpipe. Once the specifications are provided the cutout template maybe created based on these specifications.

The method of creating a tailpipe tip may further include polishing a face of each tailpipe fitting after removal from the sheet of metal. The sheet of metal may be manufactured of stainless steel in order to provide durability and style. Preferably, the method of creating a tailpipe tip may include etching a specific ornamental design within the perimeter of the tailpipe tip.

The tailpipe tip according to the present invention provides a means for the user to personalize the end opening of a tailpipe and for the installation of various designs of characters, people's logos or even sports emblems that would be etched into a stenciled design within the circumference of the tailpipe tip. These tailpipe tips may be further customized to fit various types of exhaust pipes including various shapes and sizing. Preferably the tailpipe tips are made of stainless steel metal in order to prevent rust and to allow for optimized use on the opening of the exhaust pipe. Chrome plating may also incorporated to further stylize the tailpipe tip. The instant invention has been shown and described in what it considers to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made there from within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A tailpipe tip assembly for inserting into a tailpipe opening comprising: a. a sleeve, where the sleeve includes a first opening at a first end and a fitting portion at a second end; b. a tailpipe tip, where the tailpipe tip includes a perimeter and the perimeter fits into an inner edge of the first opening of the sleeve and the fitting portion inserts into the tailpipe opening; and c. an etched design within the perimeter, where said design allows for the movement of air there through.
 2. The tailpipe tip assembly according to claim 1 where the tailpipe tip is welded to the sleeve.
 3. A method of decorating a tailpipe comprising the steps of: a. inserting a tailpipe tip assembly onto an inner edge of an exhaust opening of a tailpipe, where the tailpipe tip assembly includes a sleeve, a tailpipe tip and an etched design within a perimeter of the tailpipe tip; and b. securing the tailpipe tip assembly into the exhaust opening, where the tailpipe tip assembly is flush with the inner edge exhaust opening.
 4. A method of creating a tailpipe tip comprising the steps of: a. measuring a sleeve opening; b. creating a cutout template for the tailpipe pipe, where the template creates a plurality of tailpipe tip fittings, where each tailpipe tip fitting correlates with the sleeve opening measurements; c. placing the template over a sheet of metal; d. etching a plurality of tailpipe tip fittings on the sheet of metal; e. removing the tailpipe tip fittings from the sheet of metal; and f. contouring a perimeter of each tailpipe, where the perimeter fits flush into an inner edge of the sleeve opening.
 5. The method of creating a tailpipe tip according to claim 1 further comprising the step of polishing a face of each tailpipe fitting after removal from the sheet of metal.
 6. The method of creating a tailpipe tip according to claim 1, where sheet of metal includes stainless steel.
 7. The method of creating a tailpipe tip according to claim 1, where said step of etching include etching a specific ornamental design within the perimeter of the tailpipe tip. 